Today's high at BWI today reached 66 at 3:13 p.m., according to the National Weather Service, but it did not break the 1947 record of 69 degrees. And Wednesday is forecast to reach 63.

According to Candus Thomson's story in today's paper,  it's been the warmest January since 2007: 

"Temperatures were above 50 degrees on a dozen days; one day, Jan. 7, topped out at 66 degrees. Through Sunday, this month has averaged 37.9 degrees, nearly 5 degrees above the long-term average and the warmest January since 2007. ... The jet stream has stayed to the north of the Mid-Atlantic region for most of the season, allowing higher temperatures to move in from the south," said Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist at the national Climate Prediction Center in Camp Springs.

Thomson also reported that because of the warm weather lately the "USDA updated its plant hardiness zone map last week for the first time in two decades. The color-coded map, used by gardeners to time their spring plantings, increased the temperature in each zone by about 5 degrees and added two warmer zones to the map."

Anyone open their windows, take in a round of golf, go for a long run or take the kids outdoors? 

(Above) Kerry Clough of Owings Mills pushes her 3-year-old daughter Simone Clough, while Sophia Clough swings on her own at Meadowood Regional Park. Baltimore Sun photo by Barbara Haddock Taylor.